Wakatobi’s reefs are covered in a colorful carpet of corals, sponges, and gorgonians that shelter a range of interesting creatures. To find one of the area’s most intriguing and bizarre animals of all, look beyond the growth to find a bare spot where coral rubble surrounds a small hole where the Mantis shrimp is hiding. […]

At Wakatobi, it’s easy to get caught up in the show. Remember the excitement when the carnival came to town? The midway envelops you in a blurring parade of festive colors and frenetic activity. Show-stopping beauties steal the limelight, roving bands of juveniles flit in and out of the crowd, and there are plenty of […]

A look at the different ways Wakatobi’s marine life perceives the underwater world Touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Most all living creatures use some combination of these five senses to discover the world around them. But when water is added to the sensory equation, things change. Marine animals often sense the world in ways that […]

Discovering the menagerie of small creatures living on sea fans At Wakatobi dive sites such as Fan 38, the profusion of colorful soft corals may inspire you to back up and take in the big picture. But after doing so, you might want to move in among the luxuriant groves of sea fans and whips […]

When you are drifting along a sun-spangled coral slope at Wakatobi, everything may seem serene and relaxing. But in reality, the reefs are teeming with ruthless predators who lie hidden nearby, just waiting to claim their next victim. Some conceal themselves in crevices or bury themselves in debris and strike from cover, while others take […]

Coral reefs are places of great beauty. But the tranquil appearance can be deceiving, as there are dangers everywhere for those who live among the corals. Reef communities are among the most densely populated environments on the planet. When predator and prey live so closely together, survival strategies become very important. Those who are built […]